Controller

Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation

The Meyer Foundation invests in solutions that build an equitable Washington region in which economically vulnerable people thrive, and envisions a just, connected, and inclusive Greater Washington* community in which systemic racism and its consequences no longer exist. Over the past 75 years, building on the legacy of its founders Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer, the Foundation has been a leader in the Washington region, making philanthropic investments with a deep focus and expertise in non-profit capacity building.

The Foundation has an endowment of $220 million and in 2016, the Meyer Foundation awarded nearly $7.2M across the Greater Washington region. Looking ahead, the Foundation will explore opportunities to more intentionally address the systems, practices, and norms that perpetuate poverty and systemic racism.

Under the leadership of President and CEO Nicky Goren, the Foundation seeks team members who are committed to racial justice and equity and who can help advance this goal of the foundation during this time of change.

With a full staff of 18 people, all based in the Dupont Circle office, the Foundation is working to build a close-knit team culture. Each member of the Meyer Foundation team is committed to the work because of their dedication to addressing the community issues most pertinent to the Greater Washington region. The Foundation upholds its commitment to the professional and personal development of each person on staff and to valuing work/life balance for team members.

The Meyer Foundation seeks an analytical and hands on Controller to serve as a critical member of the Foundation’s finance and operations team. Reporting to the Vice President for Finance and Operations, the Controller will work in close collaboration with the finance and operations team, internal colleagues, and external vendors building strong relationships. The Foundation’s commitment to integrating racial justice into all its work provides a compelling opportunity for the Controller to find ways to bring greater equity to the finance function.

The Controller is responsible for the accounting function of the Foundation, including: reconciling simple to complex investment accounts and bank accounts, managing banking relationships, preparing for the year-end financial statement audit and the annual tax return, processing payroll and the associated benefits, financial statement preparation, grant monitoring, annual budget preparation, and managing the fixed assets database. This position will also improve and develop internal controls, guidelines, and procedures, as necessary. The Controller is charged with ensuring these functions align with Foundation goals and values.

As a member of the Meyer Foundation team, the Controller will be expected to be actively engaged in informal and formal team building, facilitation of meetings, participate on internal committees, and actively participate in racial equity work. All members of the Meyer Foundation are encouraged to be curious and creative in their approaches, maintain an open mind, and push themselves to be an inclusive corporate citizen. Candidates should bring a sense of curiosity to the position and seek to understand the story behind and the implications of the Foundation’s accounting activities.

Candidate Profile

The Controller should be an experienced and detail-oriented finance/accounting professional with a sound knowledge of GAAP, and should have a commitment to racial equity. Candidates must have the ability to fully engage in conversations about race and racism on a personal, institutional and systemic level to advance the Foundation’s goals related to racial equity and justice.

Competitive candidates for the Controller position will have held finance roles of increasing responsibility to include interacting with the Board of Directors and working with Board committees. Experience in the philanthropic sector is not necessary. Additionally, candidates will need to have the ability to maintain a high-level perspective on the accounting and finance processes, while conducting very detailed work on a daily basis. A successful candidate will be curious, willing to participate in work outside of their specific function, and open to challenge themselves and those around them.

Responsibilities for the Controller include, but are not limited to, the following:

Daily/On-going

Act as the daily point of contact to banking partners.

Responsible for managing the migration to the Foundation’s new banking partner and implementing the related banking services.

Maintain focus on the detailed accounting practice, while also maintaining a “big picture” view of the accounting function.

Develop controls for new financial processes and assist with creating or updating current procedures.

Maintain a high level of understanding of the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable process, including partnering with employees who are responsible for these activities.

Ability to work autonomously; own a body of work and work with their teammates.

Bi -Weekly

Process payroll and benefits, and record payroll activity in the general ledger. Reconcile quarterly 941 payroll reports.

Monthly

Reconcile the Foundation’s investment portfolio by reconciling investment accounts, preparing investment schedules, and recording the associated investment activity in the general ledger.

Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate financial information to non-financial staff.

Proficient using Excel.

Ability to prioritize multiple responsibilities effectively.

Detailed oriented with patience and determination to explore the problem and all of its elements through to a solution.

Experience working with accounting software.

Experience and/or interest in working on racial justice.

Impact investing experience a plus.

Proficient in use of computer technology primarily in Microsoft Excel and Office Suite.

Personal Characteristics and Values

Proven ability to listen, discern challenges, and identify solutions.

Partnership approach and ability to effectively work with different workstyles.

An analytical thinker who can develop and apply strategy using a thoughtful and inclusive approach.

Open-minded and committed to honest and candid conversations and self-reflection about race, racial justice, and equity.

Transparent, humble, and collaborative leadership style with Board, staff, grantees, and other stakeholders.

Enthusiasm for organizational change and patience during the change process.

Toapply,submitresumeandcoverletterinMicrosoftWordformat,indicatingsalarypreferences to jobs@meyerfdn.org. Please include“Controller”in the emailsubjectline. We reviewallsubmittalsand contactqualifiedcandidatesbytelephone or email. No telephone inquiries accepted. This position is open until filled.